Gov. Cuomo on Saturday warned New Yorkers to gird for a “war” on the coronavirus pandemic as the death toll soared by 209 people in the past 24 hours alone.

The number of dead rose to 728, up from 519 the day before, in the state that is now the epicenter of the global pandemic that has transformed life in a flash from the crowded streets of Brooklyn to remote corners of rural Asia and Africa.

“These are still people who we lost. We lost because of this virus,” Cuomo said mournfully. “If they didn’t have the virus, they would be with us today,” The governor said New York is trying to “go on offense” after being “behind the virus from Day 1.”

Models predict the worst of the pandemic will hit the city and state in about three weeks, he said.

“The war will fully engage when we hit that apex,” he said. “God forbid the apex happens, make sure you are ready.”